Like it or not, we’re in the future and the 5G network is part of the future driver. Considering how powerful this service will change the way we communicate with gadgets and devices, there is still a downside on this innovation. According to reports, the complete adoption of the 5G network might reduce the accuracy of weather forecasts up to 30% which also includes the prediction of extreme weather events like Hurricanes.

The US Federal Communications Commission started selling the 25GHz band which is needed for proper 5G functioning way back since 2018. What experts were concerned and eventually warned about is that the new band is too close and could interfere with the the 23.8GHz band used by equipment specialized in collecting weather information.

The interference “would result in roughly a 77% data loss from our passive microwave sounders”, said Dr. Neil Jacobs, acting chief of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

According to US Democratic senators Ron Wyden of the Oregon and Maria Cantwell of Washington have written letters to the FCC urging the need to stop companies from utilizing the 244GHz band. Below is an excerpt from the letter sent to the Commission.

Don’t allow wireless companies to operate in a 24GHz band until vital weather forecasting operations are protected. To continue down the path the FCC is currently on, to continue to ignore the serious alarms the scientific community is raising, could lead to dangerous impacts to American national security, to American industries, and to the American people.